Flash Gordon movie on the way

You've probably watched Flash Gordon - if not knowingly, then stumbling about late night TV during a Christmas holiday and wondering what camp 80s monstrosity you'd uncovered. Well, good news: the comic sci fi hero is returning to the big screen.

The Hollywood Reporterbrings word that 20th Century Fox has picked up the rights to the character, employing J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay (two thirds of the team currently writing the next Star Trek feature film) to write a draft script based on an outline by George Nolfi (The Adjustment Bureau, Bourne Ultimatum).

Starting out in a 1930s comic series, Flash Gordon was the original intergalactic superstar, romping about the galaxy with his love interest Dale Arden and the suitably nutty Dr. Hans Zarkov. Over the years a variety of big screen adaptations have hit and missed, most notably the aforementioned 1980 glitter-filled blockbuster - complete with squealing Queen soundtrack.

As to whether Nolfi et al decide to go down a realism route or stick to the swashbuckling roots of the hero are yet to be revealed. Here's hoping that the soundtrack is suitably glam.